After the trials and tribulations of a stuttering qualification campaign, Argentina have the chance to show the potential which could lead them to glory in 2010.
The two-time winners are 10-1 fourth favourites with Tote Sport, Bluesq, 888Sport and Coral, and 4-1 (Sky Bet) to be finalists - as they were in 1990. Led by Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, they undoubtedly possess strength in attacking positions with Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero also likely to make an impact. Hinderances could lie in defensive areas, and the erratic tactical decisions of coach Diego Maradona.
With the selection of over 60 players during qualifying, given 23 men to work with for the finals may actually suit everybody concerned. They are group favourites at 8-15 with Tote Sport and Ladbrokes, and 1-9 with Tote Sport and Victor Chandler to go through. A potential failure, as in 2002 when they fell at the group phase is 11-2 (Sky Bet).
Greece are the group's second seeds in terms of FIFA ranking, although since their shock Euro 2004 success, they have made little impact on the international stage.
They reached their second finals courtesy of a hard-fought play-off victory over Ukraine, but are perceived as one of the weaker European qualifiers, and dont forget your free world cup bets. With Otto Rehhagel still at the helm as he was in 2004, they should prove tough to break down and in the form of Theofanis Gekas, have the top scorer from the European qualifying groups in their attack. In their previous finals appearance in 1994, they lost all three matches.
They are 150-1 with Boylesports and William Hill to repeat their shock success as in the European Championships, and 33-1 with Sky Bet to make the final. They could be a value bet to finish top in the group, 8-1 on offer with Victor Chandler and William Hill - and 5-4 with the former to qualify.
Greece are the group's second seeds in terms of FIFA ranking, although since their shock Euro 2004 success, they have made little impact on the international stage.
They reached their second finals courtesy of a hard-fought play-off victory over Ukraine, but are perceived as one of the weaker European qualifiers.
With Otto Rehhagel still at the helm as he was in 2004, they should prove tough to break down and in the form of Theofanis Gekas, have the top scorer from the European qualifying groups in their attack. In their previous finals appearance in 1994, they lost all three matches. They are 150-1 with Boylesports and William Hill to repeat their shock success as in the European Championships, and 33-1 with Sky Bet to make the final.
They could be a value bet to finish top in the group, 8-1 on offer with Victor Chandler and William Hill - and 5-4 with the former to qualify.
Nigeria made the finals on the final day of the African qualifying groups after a dramatic win in Kenya - and a failure by Tunisia. They had been favourites to go through from their group, but drew three games including both matches against the Tunisians.
They have talent in their squad in the form of skipper Joseph Yobo, Chelsea's Jon Obi Mikel and strikers Obafemi Martins and Ayegbeni Yakubu - although the latter has struggled to hit his stride for Everton since recovering from a long-term knee injury. They will all need to be at their best to help the Super Eagles make an impact. They are shorter odds than Greece to win the final in their home continent at 100-1 (various), but a longer 40-1 (Sky Bet) to make the final.
They are fancied more than the Greeks to finish top in the group at 5s (various), and are 6-5 with Paddy Power to come first or second. Incidentally, both are 8-11 (Sky Bet) not to go through.
South Korea are capable of causing a shock in this group, despite being rated as outsiders - they are 1-8 on with Sky Bet to fall at the first hurdle. They are 12-1 with Bet365, Sky Bet and Coral to finish first - and 7-2 (Sky Bet) to qualify. They will be appearing in their seventh successive finals, qualifying comfortably this time around - conceding only four goals in eight unbeaten Asian Group games.
They famously made the semi-finals in 2002 in their homeland, and if Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung can hit top form, they are capable of going through. An unlikely final appearance is 100-1 with Sky Bet, while the win? A huge 300-1 with Expekt.com.
General group bets of interest - all offered by Sky Bet - include an Argentina first, Nigeria second straight forecast (5-2), Nigeria/Argentina (7-1) and Argentina/South Korea (8-1); an Argentina first, Greece second and South Korea third tricast is 9-1, with Nigeria/South Korea/Argentina 100-1. The dual forecast of Argentina and South Korea to go through is 11-2, with Greece/Nigeria offered at 12s.
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